Controlling mechanism for lathes



Filed July 13, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet l 4 5 Af/arney Jan. 11, 1944.

H. SCHUMACHER CONTROLLING MECHANISM FOR LATHES Filed July 13, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 In venfor flmwmvlv Swan/name Jan. 11, 1944. H. SCHUMACHER 2,338,975

CONTROLLING MECHANISM FOR LATHES Filed July 13, 1940 5 Sheefs-Sheet 3 In ven/or Hale MAW J'Cl/Z/M/iHE/E ilorney Jm 1944 H. SICHUMACHERV 2,338,975

CONTROLLING MECHANISM F 'OR LATHES Filed July 13, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 lave/afar Al/ornef Patented Jan. 11, 1944 CONTROLLING MECHANISM FOR LATHES Hermann Schumacher, Goppingen, Wurtitemberg,

Germany; vested in the Alien Property Custodian Application July 13, 1940, Serial No. 345,336 In Germany June 20, 1938 4 Claims.

My invention relates to a controlling mechanism for lathes and its primary object is to provide means for stopping the work spindle of the lathe in a predetermined angular position. This is frequently desirable as the work piece mounted on the work spindle may be conveniently attached thereto or removed therefrom only if the work spindle assumes a predetermined angular position. In lathes, for instance, for turning crankshafts the chuck mounted on the work spindle must be brought to a certain angular position before the work piece can be inserted in or removed from the chuck. In other angular positions the tools would interfere with the work piece.

Prior to my invention a time-consuming manual operation was required, after the lathe had been stopped, to rotate the spindle to such position. Various means could be used for this purpose. In lathes, for instance, in which the spindle drive includes a frictional clutch, the operator could turn the spindle by engaging and disengaging the clutch for short intervals in order to turn the spindle through small angles to the desired position. In lathes in which the spindle is equipped with a manually operable brake, the operator could so control the brake after cutting off the driving motor, that the spindle is arrested in the desired position. Alternatively, the electric driving motor could be so controlled by short current impulses controlled by a press button switch as to turn the spindle to the desired position. All of these manual operations require considerable skill and experience. Another possibility sometimes resorted to is to turn the spindle directly by hand after it has come to rest. But this operation requires that the spindle be first detached from its driving means by disengaging clutches or gears.

It is the object of my invention to provide means which will be automatically put in operation when the machine is stopped and will arrest the work spindle in the required position. My invention is of particular advantage if the same operator must serve a plurality of machines at the same time or in event of mass production of work pieces requiring but a short cutting time so that the intervals of manual operation on the machines are of predominating influence on the cost of manufacture.

I attain these objects by the provision of means which will stop the work spindle in a predetermined angular position after the main driving motor of the lathe or other driving means thereof, such as. a clutch, has been disabled.

In a preferred embodiment of my invention I equip the lathe with a centrifugal switch and with a rotary switch clutched to the spindle which so control the machine in cooperation with the motor switch that when the driving motor is cut off the brake will be put in operation and will reduce the speed of the spindle. As soon as this speed reduction has proceeded to a certain limit, the centrifugal switch disables the brake again thus permitting the spindle to slowly continue its rotation. When, in the course of this rotation, the spindle arrives at the required angular position, the rotary switch becomes operative to put the brake in operation again, whereby the spindle will be immediately stopped.

For the clutch I may substitute another auxiliary device adapted to exert a torque on the spindle of the lathe, for instance, an auxiliary motor which, after the main drive has been disabled, becomes active to slowly turn the spindle to the desired position. Then, the rotary switch becomes operative to disable the auxiliary motor so as to stop the machine.

The spindle is driven at so low a speed by the auxiliary motor that when the latter is stopped,

no substantial overthrow will occur. Hence, a

brake may be dispensed with in this embodiment.

Further features of my invention will appear from a description of preferred embodiments thereof following hereinafter. In the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic representation of the spindle and the associated driving and controlling means,

Fig. 2 is a diagram'of the spindle speed,

Fig. 3 is a circuit diagram,

Figs. 4 and 5 illustrate the centrifugal switch showing an'axial section thereof with the parts assuming different positions,

Fig. 6 is a section through the head stock casing of the lathe,

Fig. '7 is an elevation viewed from the left of Fig. 6 at a reduced scale,

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic illustration similar to that of Fig. 1 of a modification of my invention;

Fig. 9 the circuit diagram thereof;

Fig. 10 is a modification of the circuit diagram of Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 another modification of the circuit diagram of Fig. 9; and

Fig. 12 a third modification of the diagram of Fi 9.

In Fig. 1, I have diagrammatically indicated the work spindle l0 carrying the chuck It! to which a crankshaft K may be attached. The 4 spindle is driven by an electric motor! I, no clutch being interposed. The electric motor drives a shaft l3 by means of pulleys i2 and a belt. The shaft I 3 is geared to the spindle it through a suitable transmission comprising gears Hi and i5.

A. brake disc I6 is attached to the shaft I 3 cooperating with a brake strap ll having one end attached to the frame of the machine and having the other end. attached to a brake lever i8 loaded with a weight Hi. The weight may be shifted to adjust the braking couple. The lever 18 is attached to the armature of an electromagnet 59 mounted on the frame of the lathe. By energization of the electromagnet it the lever i8 is lifted, whereby the brake It, I! is disengaged. The means controlling the circuit of the electromagnet I9 are so interconnected with the means controlling the electric motor if thatthe brake is automatically rendered effective as soon as the motor II is cut off. When that happens, the brake will abruptly reduce the speed of the shaft I3.

With. the shaft Hi there is connected through suitable means, such as a belt-and-pulley drive a centrifugal switch 35 operative to close a. circuit as long as: the speed of the shaft It, does not exceed a certain predetermined. limit which is comparatively low amounting, for instance, to 60 R. P. M. However, the centrifugal switch may be directly attached to the shaft I3.

Moreover, I have connected the spindle l with a rotary switch adapted to close or interrupt a circuit as soon as the spindle arrives at the angular position at which it isto be stepped.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. l, the spindle itis connected by gears 29 with a shaft 30 journalled in the frame of the machine and carrying an. arm cl wiping on a ring 32. This ring is rotatably mounted on the frame of the machine in a known manner and may be manually turned by a worm 3 3 engaging worm teeth of the ring to any desired angular position. The ring consists of a suitable insulating material. However, it is equipped with a contact plate 34. As soon as the spindle Id arrives at the position at which it shall be stopped, the wiper 3i engages the contact 34 closing a circuit which will cause the brake to become effective to abruptly stop the" spindle.

The centrifugal switch 35 and the rotary switch 3!, 34 control the brake-lifting electromagnet l9 in the following manner:

After the motor II and the electromaghet it have been de-energized at the same tim rendering the brake effective, the speed of thespindle i s will abruptly drop. As soon asv the speed has decreased to the limit to which the centrifugal switch 35 is adjusted, the same will close its circuit and will cause asuitable relay'mechanismto be described hereinafter to re-energize the lifting electromagnet 19, whereby the brake i i, II will be disengaged. The speed at which this happens is so chosen that the spindle will continue its rotation under the effect of its own inertia and that of the'work piece connected thereto through at least one complete revolution. At the same time, the centrifugal switch prepares the circuit of the rotary switch. As soon as the'spindle slowly continuing its rotation under its inertia arrives at its stopping position, the rotary switch 3,! 34 becomes effective and die-energizes the lifting electromagnet l9 again, whereby the brake is made effective again. The brakenow' arrests the spindle in therequired position. Because of the slow speed of rotation at-which the brake is. eneased the second; time, any overthrow of the.

(iii

spindle beyond the required position will be avoided.

In Fig. 2 I have illustrated the speed diaphragm of the spindle. At the point 62 the electric motor if is put in operation while the brake-lifting eiectromagne-t ii? is energized at the same time. The speed of the spindle rises fast until the normal working speed is attained at the instant I; at II the operation on the work piece has been finished and the operator will out off the electric motor ii. The brake is rendered effective automatically at the same time causing the speed to drop abruptly to the speed limit indicated at III. At this instant, the brake is disengaged again allowing the spindle to continue its rotation under its inertia which slowly decreases until the instant IV is reached. At this point, the rotary switch renders the brake effective again, whereupon the spindle is immediately stopped coming to rest at the instant V.

In- Figs. 6 and 7 I have illustrated the head stock of the machine. The spindle l8 carrying the chuck iii is journalled in the side walls of the head stool: casing 36 by means of antifriction bearings 3i. The pair of gears 29 connects the spindle iii with a shaft 38- journalled in antifriction bearings with. the shaft IS by the gears I4. The shaft [3- projects out of the head stock casing 36 and carries a. pulley Gil connected by a belt 4| with the pulley 12 attached to the shaft of the electric motor H which is mounted on the head stock casing The centrifugal switch 35 is mounted on the head stock casing 3t and is driven from the shaft it through a pulley d3 fixed to the.

shaft through a belt 54 and through a pulley i5 attached to the spindle. it of the, centrifugal switch. 1

The pulley '33 has a cylindrical flange which is.

engaged by the braking strap IT shown in Figs. 1 and 7 In Fig. 7 the lifting electromagnet I9 is shown which cooperates with the lever l8 carrying the shiftable weight I8. The rotary" switch Si, 34 shown in Fig. 6 is of a slightly modified structure. In. the embodiment shown therein the contact ring 32 is geared to the spindle I!) by a toothed wheel ii engaging teeth it of the spindle 10 while the contact arm 3| is rotatably mounted on a bearing pin 69 and is adapted to be anguiarly adjusted by the manually rotatable worm 33. The arm 3i carries two brushes 5:! engaging the periphery and the side face of the ring 32'. They are electrically connected by the contact piece inserted therein when the same arrives in position to make contact with the two brushes 5!).

The centrifugal switch is shown in Figs. 4- and 5. In its casing there is rotatably mounted the spindle Qt to which the pulley is attached. This spindle is hollow and slidably accommodates a pin Eil which is attached to a collar 52 by a pin 53 extending through longitudinal slots of the hollow spindle it. A second collar 54 is attached to the spindle it. A helical spring 55 surrounding the spindle it is inserted between the two collars and tends to space the same apart, whereby the pin 5! is projected into contact with a leaf spring 53 pressing the same into contact with a second leaf spring 5?. The two contact springs aremounted on insulating brackets 58 attached to the casing.

Weighted levers are pivoted to the collars 52 and 54 and toeach other. By the centrifugalforce they tend to assume the position shown in Fig, 5 compressing the spring 55, whereby the spring it. is disengaged As. soon. as the. rotary This shaft is connected speed falls below a certain limit, th two contact springs 56 and 51 are brought in contact with each other.

The circuit arrangement is illustrated in Fig. 3. In order to start the electric motor II, the operator closes a switch 60 thus completing the following circuit: Phase wire R of the three-phase power line, wires BI, 62, contacts of switch 60, wires 63, relay coil 64, wires 65 and 66, phase wire S of the power line. In this circuit, the relay i4 closes the motor switch 61 thus starting the motor I I and at the same time attracts its armature 68 which in Fig. 3 is shown in released position.

This armature, when attracted, closes the following circuit: Wires R, GI, 63, 69, armature 68, wires "Iii, II, relay coil I2, wires 66 and S. In this circuit, the relay coil 12 is energized and closes the switch 13 connecting the lifting electromagnet I9 to the power line. Now, the lathe is in condition for operation on the work piece.

After the work has been finished, the operator opens the switch 8% thus interrupting the two circuits traced hereinabove. Consequently, the armature 68 will return to the position shown in Fig. 3, the motor II will be de-energized and the brake 51 will be put in operation. As soon as the spindle has been slowed down sufficiently, the centrifugal switch 35 will be closed completing the following circuits:

(1) Earthed wire of the power line, wire I4 input coil of a transformer "I5, wire I6, switch wires Ti, i8, GI and R. (2) Wire R of the power line, wire GI, I8, 11, switch 35, wires 16,

armature 85 of the relay 80, wires 85;II, relay coil #2, wire 66 and wire S of the power line. In the second circuit relay coil I2 is energized closing switch I3 which connects the lifting electromagnet [9 to the power line disabling the brake. Hence, the spindle will now freely continue its rotation at reduced speed. In the first circuit the transformer I5 will be energized. Its output coil applies voltage to the following circuit: Terminal I9 of the output coil, relay winding 8t, wire 3!, armature 68, wires 82 and 86, rotary switch 3Q, wire 81 and terminal 88 of the output transformer coil. This circuit will be completed as soon as the rotary switch 3|, 34 will be closed. When this happens, the relay 80 will be energized attracting its armatures. The lower armature 8d will interrupt the circuit that was traced liereinabove through relay coil I2. Hence, this circuit will be interrupted permitting switch It to open and to put the brake into operation which abruptly stops the spindle of the lathe. The second armature 89 of relay 80 closes a holding circuit for the relay 8!) which will keep it energized even if the rotary switch 3!, 34 should be interrupted prior to the complete stoppage of the spindle by overthrow thereof. This holding circuit may be traced as follows: Terminal relay winding 80, wire BI, armature wire at, armature 89, terminal 88. This holding circuit will not be interrupted until the operator closes switch S0 for the following cycle of operation, whereby armature I38 will be attracted.

The elements shown in Fig. 8 bearing the same reference characters as those shown in Fig. 2 are identical with the same and function in the same manner. In lieu of the brake or in addition thereto, however, an auxiliary driving device is provided which may rotate the spindle III at a very small speed. For this purpose, a gear so is freely rotatably mounted on the shaft I3. It is driven by an auxiliary motor 9| through a transmission comprising a pinion 9| on the motor shaft, a gear 92 meshing therewith and a pinion 93 fixed to the gear 92 and engaging the gear 96. On the gear there is mounted the casing 94 of an overrunning clutch of any known type, for instance, of the type including clamping rolls. This clutch permits the shaft I3 to be driven by the main motor I I at a higher peed than by the slowly rotating gear 90.

Moreover, the rotary switch on shaft 30 is so designed as to interrupt the circuit when arriving at a predetermined angular position. For this purpose, the ring 32 on which the wiper 3I slides is made of conductive material and is interrupted at 95. In thi interruption, a piece of insulating material may be inserted to bridge the gap.

The circuit diagram of this embodiment is illustrated in Fig. 9. When the operator closes the motor witch 96, the following circuit will be closed: Phase wire T of the power line, wire 91, switch 96, wire 98, relay 99, wires I00 and S. In this circuit, the relay 99 is energized closing the motor switch IIlI, whereby the motor II is started. When the work has been finished, the

" operator opens the switch 96, thereby de-energiz-- ing the relay $9. Hence, the motor switch IIEI is opened and at the same time an armature IE2 of the relay 99 closes the following circuit: Terminal a transformer I04, wire I05, rotary switch 3i, EH5, relay coil I66, wire IIlI, armature Hi2, terminal Hit of the transformer I84. The latter is shunted across the power wires S and T. The relay I66 operates a switch I09 controlling the auxiliary motor 9|.

The circuit through relay I08 will be kept in closed condition until the arm 3I of the rotary switch comes to a full stop in the gap 95, thereby ole-energizing the relay I96 and stopping the auxiliary motor ill.

The brake-lifting magnet I9 is shunted across the terminals of the main motor I I and is thereby energized as long as the switch 96 is kept closed. When the switch is opened, the brake will quickly reduce the speed of the spindle. Nevertheless, the latter will revolve several times because of its momentum before the overrunning clutch will engage and transmit motion to the spindle. In the course of these revolutions the wiper "ti will pass the gap 95 and will temporarily interrupt the supply of current to the auxiliary motor 9i. Eventually, however, the speed of the spindle ill will be reduced to that imparted to it from the auxiliary motor 9I through the overrunning clutch 94 and then relay Iilii will be de-energized stopping the motor 9| as soon as the wiper 3i will arrive at the gap 95. This results in the immediate stoppage of the spindle II I may avoid the repeated operation of the switch liiil preceding the stoppage of the spindle by modifying the circuit arrangement shown in Fig. 9 in the manner indicated in Figs. 10, 11 and 12. In Fig. 10, the wire IIll includes the armature Hi3 of a slow-acting relay III which is connected with the wires I05 and I01. When the main motor I i is cut off closing the armature I62, the relay II: is energized but will not complete the circuitthrough the relay I06 until the speed of the spindle has been dropped to the limit of the auxiliary drive.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 11 the centrifugal switch shown in Figs. 4 and 5 is inserted in line I95. When the switch 96 has been opened de-energizing the main motor II, the auxiliary motor 9| will not start immediately but its start will be delayed until the centrifugal switch 35 closes. Then, the auxiliary motor will. positively turn the spindle hl'until the wiper 3| will arrive in the 515 thus tie-energizing relay I66.

the embodiment shown in Fig. 12' the rotary switch is of the design shown in Fig. 1. Its arm 3! is connected to wire 25 While the conductive meml er is connected by a wire HZto one terminal of the solenoid N3 of an electromagnet whose other terminal is connected with the wire Once in every revolution of the main spindle it the following circuit is closed: Transformer 'oal wire ltd, wiper 31, conductive memr, wire ilii, solenoid H3, wire lil'l, armature terminal ifilii of the transformer, provided that the main motor has been cut off and that armature i 53.2 is in closed condition. The solenoid l ill will attract the core operating a ratchet pawl 5 E i advancing a ratchet wheel H5 one step. To this wheel H5 a wiper H6 is attached which is connected with the wire Hill. The wiper slides on a slip ring it? which is connected by a wire lid with the relay Hi6 and has a gap H9. As long as the wiper H5 slides on the ring ill, the following circuit is closed: Transformer terminal i513, wire we, wiper H6, ring ill, wire H8, relay I58, wire till, armature E02, transformer terminal 553, In this circuit, the relay coil l is energized, keeping the switch Hi9 of. the auxiliary motor closed, Hence, the auxiliary motor drives the spindle rotating the same at a reduced speed. At every revolution the ratchet wheel 8 i5 is rotated one step, until eventually the wiper lit arrives at the gap H9 and thus de-energizes the relay lot thereby immediately stopping the auxiliary motor 95 and the spindle Ill.

It will be noted that the various species of my invention describedherein'above are closely related in that an auxiliary device adapted to exert a torque on the spindle i is provided in' addition to the main motor l In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 this auxiliary device is the brake the torque of which is so controlled by the rotary switch as to stop the soindle in the desired position. In the modifications described by reference to Figs. 9, 10, 11 and 12, the auxiliary device exerting a torque on the spindle is the auxiliary motor 9!.

Moreover, both the species of Figs. 3 and 11 comprise a work spindle ill, an electric motor ll thereto, the auxiliary torque-exerting device ii, or iii respectively, a rotary switch 31, or d respectively, controlling an electric circuit and controlling means 89, or 1% respectively, included in said circuit and controlling the an 'liary device for stopping the spindle in the desired angular position. In both species, a centrifugal switch. 35 is driven by the work spindle is operative to disable the controlling means or 565 respectively, until the spindle has slowed down to a predetermined speed limit.

While I have described specific embodiments of inven ion 1 wish it to be clearly understood that same is capable of numerous modificati as within the scope of the appended claims wwl out departing from the spirit of the invention.

ii hat I claim is:

1. In a lathe, the combination comprising a work spindle, driving means coordinated thereto,

a brake cooperatively connected with saidspindle, controlling means common to said driving means and said brake and adapted to render the latter effective when the driving means are disabled, means responsive to the speed of said spindie and adapted, when said speed has been reduced by said brake below a certain limit, to disable said brake, thereby allowing the spindle to idle under the influence of its constantly diminishing momentum, and rotary means cooperatively connected with said spindle adapted to function only when the spindle is idling and operative in a predetermined angular position of the spindle to render said brake effective again, whereby the spindle will be stopped in said angular positic-n.

2. In a lathe, the combination comprising a work spindle, an electric motor coordinated thereto, a brake cooperatively connected with said spindle, an electromagnet adapted to disable said brake, electric controlling means adapted to deenergize said electromagnet when said electric motor is de-energized, a centrifugal switch responsive to the'speed of said spindle and adapted, when said speed has been reduced by said brake below certain limit, to re-energize said electl-omagnet, causing the brake to become disabled, thereby allowing the spindle to idle under the infinance of its constantly diminishing momentum, and a rotary switch connected with said spindle adapted to function only when the spindle is idling and operative in a predetermined angular position of the spindle to de-energize said electromagnet again thereby causing the brake to operate, whereby the spindle will be stopped in said angular position.

3-. In a lathe, the combination comprising a work spindle, driving means coordinated thereto, an auxiliary device cooperatively connected with said spindle and adapted to exert a torque on said spindle, controlling means common to said driving means and said auxiliary device and adapted to render the latter effective when the driving means are disabled, means responsive to the speed of said spindle and adapted, when said speed has been reduced by said auxiliary device below a certain limit, to control an electrical circuit to disable said auxiliary device thereby alowing the spindle to idle under the influence of its constantly diminishing momentum, and rotar-y means cooperatively connected with said spindle adapted to function only when the spindie is idling and operative in a predetermined angular position of the spindle to control an electrical circuit to render said auxiliary device effective again whereby the spindle will be stopped in said angular position.

4; In a lathe, the combination comprising a work spindle, an electric motor geared thereto, a friction brake connected with said spindle, means for actuating said brake, an electro-magnet adapted, when energized, to render said brake ineffective, and a rotary switch cooperatively connected with said work spindle and adapted, when the latter arrives at a predetermined angular position, to de-energize said electromagnet, the actuating means then operating to render said brake effective.

HERMANN SCHUMACHER. 

